Barkada finds and helps friend who became a taong grasa

A group of friends has reached out to a common friend whom they suspected to have become a taong grasa, a homeless beggar.

A video, which aired in a 24 Oras report by Mariz Umali on Tuesday, showed how the group found Jappy along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City last Sunday.

They gave him food and asked him to come with them.

The man turned out to be their friend, Jappy.

"Si Jappy kasi from 1998, barkada na kasi namin 'to, mabait 'tong taong 'to pero medyo slow. Kaya ano, pero napakabait niya kaya ang ano sa amin, ang lapit sa amin, hindi na iba," said Matet Libao, one of Jappy's friends.

Libao said they had last seen Jappy in 2009.

"May nakapagsabi sa amin na konting ano na nasa bahay daw siya, wala na siyang kakilala tapos nakaratay lang siya sa higaan," Libao said.

Until recently, a friend saw Jappy wandering the streets. Last Sunday, they looked for him to extend assistance.

His friends were unaware of his condition and were moved to help him.

"Naaawa, saka ano di kami makapaniwala na bakit siya nagkaganon. Kitang-kita po sa reaksyon niya eh kahit sabihin na di siya nagsalita, yumuko po siya tapos umiyak siya," Libao added.

The video, which was uploaded by Jhun Mahinay, has gone viral over social media reaching 1.7 million views.

The report said Jappy is currently staying in the house of one of his friends.

It is, however, still unclear if Jappy has a medical condition.

Libao is seeking assistance for their beloved friend: "Sa mga kakilala, nakakakilala kay Jappy, kung ano man po 'yung bukas sa loob niyo na maitutulong po para sa kanya." — Anna Felicia Bajo/BAP/KG, GMA News